Beautiful libraries: Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, United States

18 of the most beautiful libraries in the world

15. Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, United States

The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University is one of the world's largest libraries devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts. Designed by Gordon Bunshaft and the prolific modernist firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the striking building comprised of Vermont marble, granite, bronze and glass was completed in 1963. Among its many treasures, the Gutenberg Bible and Audubon's Birds of America are on permanent exhibition.